Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets is unable to catch a single hit by Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets is unable to catch a single hit by Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Mets have lost three games in a row for the first time since the middle of June as they head to Miami to take on the Marlins.

The last time the Mets were in Miami was in late May, when New York was riding a five-game winning streak, which included four straight wins over the Yankees. But the Mets were swept in the three-game set by the Marlins.

Since that series began, the Marlins have the best record in the National League East:

The Marlins have won eight of the 11 games against the Mets so far in 2013, including a 5-1 mark at home in Marlins Park. The Mets worst-ever season record on the road against the Marlins was in 2010, when they went 1-8 vs. the Marlins away from Citi Field.

Murphy’s big game came while batting second in the Mets’ lineup, and leadoff hitter Juan Lagares came through in the opener as well, with three hits in four at-bats and three runs scored.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only twice before had the Mets’ starters in the first two slots in the batting order each registered at least three hits and three runs scored in the same game. Mookie Wilson and Gregg Jefferies did it at Wrigley Field on September 8, 1988, and Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan also combined to do so against the Tigers at Citi Field on June 22, 2010.